The house in rural Greenwood County at which Sheriff Matt Samuels was killed burned down last week.
The Madison News reported in today’s edition that three properties at Hilltop in Greenwood County were destroyed by fire April 19. The three properties include the house at which Samuels was serving a warrant in January 2005 when authorities allege he was fatally shot by Scott Cheever.
The other two properties that were destroyed are across the road. All three were owned by Daniel Cooper and the Cooper family, the News reported.
After the buildings were destroyed, the newspaper said, the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office was called. An officer responded to confirm the fire. The state fire marshal’s office was notified and Sheriff Mark Kenneson told the News that evidence was collected for an arson investigation.
Cheever remains in jail charged with capital murder, four counts of attempted capital murder and one count each of manufacturing methamphetamine and criminal possession of a firearm. His trial is set to begin in October. Pretrial motions are scheduled for May 14.